8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

1/13

Chapter 18a - Qal Imperativeintroduction

Volitional Conjugations

The term volitional describes thoseconjugations used, as a general rule,

to express some type of command,wish or desire.

Imperative

2ndperson volitional conjugation

Cohortative

1stperson volitional conjugation

Jussive

3rdperson volitional conjugation

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

2/13

Chapter 18b - Qal Imperativestrong verb paradigm

Imperative Sufformative Translation

2ms (you) kill!2fs (you) kill!2mp (you) kill!2fp . (you) kill!

Imperfect Subtract Imperative

Form Preformative Form

2ms | 2fs | 2mp | 2fp . |. .

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

3/13

Chapter 18c - Qal Imperativelengthened 2ms imperative

Lexical Regular LengthenedForm Imperative Imperative Translation

you (2ms) kill! you (2ms) observe! you (2ms) judge! you (2ms) listen!

The vowel in the first syllable of a lengthened

Imperative like is Qamets HatufIt may also appear with Hireq as in

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

4/13

Chapter 18d - Qal Imperativethe particle

Imperatives (along with the other volitionalconjugations) may be followed by the

particle .which can be translated asplease or simply left untranslated

observe! orplease observe!

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

5/13

Chapter 18e - Qal Imperativeweak verbs: part 1

I-Guttural II-Guttural

2ms 2fs 2mp 2fp . . . .

I-Type 1 I-Type 22ms 2fs 2mp 2fp . . . .

III-/ III-2ms 2fs 2mp 2fp . . . .

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

6/13

Chapter 18f - Qal Imperativeweak verbs: part 2

III- Geminate2ms 2fs . .2mp . .2fp

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

7/13

Chapter 18g - Qal Imperativebiconsonantal verbs

2ms 2fs . . . .2mp . . . .2fp . . .

2ms 2fs . .2mp . .2fp .

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

8/13

Chapter 18h - Qal Imperativeirregular/doubly weak verbs

((to give ((to take2ms 2fs 2mp 2fp . . . .

((to walk ((to be2ms 2fs 2mp 2fp . . >

((to go up ((to extend2ms 2fs 2mp 2fp . . . .

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

9/13

Chapter 18i - Qal Cohortativethe basics

The Cohortative occurs only in the first person,singular and plural. It is constructed by adding to a first person form of the Imperfect.This final is the diagnostic indicator of theCohortative conjugation.

Imperfect Cohortative

+ = + =

May I observeyour law.Let me observeyour law.

Let us make(cut) a covenant.May we make(cut) a covenant.Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

10/13

Chapter 18j - Qal Jussivethe basics

The Jussive conjugation occurs primarily in

the third person, singular and plural. With

strong verbs, the form of the Jussive is the

same as its corresponding Imperfect form. For

example,may be translated as either hewill write or let him write. The presenceof the particle will suggest the Jussivetranslation.

Letthe king rememberYahweh.

(2 Sam 14:11)MayYahwehjudgebetween me and between you.

(Gen 16:5)

. MayYahwehforgiveyour servant

(2 Kgs 5:18)

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

11/13

Chapter 18k - Qal Jussiveshort forms

Short jussive forms occur only in the singularand only with selected types of weak verbs,

especially III-weak verbs.Perfect Imperfect Jussive (short)

he built he will build let him see

And let him buildthe house of Yahweh (Ezra 1:3).

And God said, let there belight (Gen 1:3).

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

12/13

Chapter 18l - Qal Jussiveand Cohortative

negation

Jussive and Cohortative verbs are negated with .This construction expresses a negative wish or a mild-

er form of prohibition than that expressed by plus the Imperfect. The particle -is sometimes attached to with Maqqef (

). In most instances,

you do not need to translate the particle .

Do not let us perish.

(Jonah 1:14)

Do not let your anger burn against your servant .

(Gen 44:18)

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt

8/12/2019 BBH_OH_18

13/13

Chapter 18m - Qal Imperative,

Cohortative and Jussiveverbal sequences

1. Multiple Imperative verbs may occur in succession.Context will determine whether or not they arerelated consequentially or sequentially.

Go up andburyyour father (Gen 50:6).

2. An Imperative verb may be followed by a Perfectverb with Waw Conversive. The Perfect verb maycarry the full force of the preceding Imperative.

Goand sayto my servant (2 Sam 7:5).

3. An Imperative may be followed by an Imperfect orCohortative, a construction that will create a purposeor result clause. The Imperfect will be marked with

the conjunction .and is translated as so that

Go down there and buy grain for us from

there so that we might live(Gen 42:2).

Basics of Biblical Hebrew Gary D. Pratico and Miles V. Van Pelt